Sunscreen is a must-have, and if these facts don't prove it, I don't know what will!
My last year's obsession was listening to podcasts, especially the beauty and fashion ones. A topic diligently covered on every beauty podcast is the importance of sunscreen. Experts recommend it to be the one step that we shouldn't skip year-round, even when we're just staying indoors.
We suffer from hyperpigmentation in our family, so I learned the importance of sunscreen application earlier on. I must confess that I am still quite bad at making it a regular one in my routine. The one time I want to improve on is in the morning when I water my plants because sun protection is essential during that time too. Also, I hardly remember to reapply. So, I have a few things to work on when it comes to my sunscreen application.
To improve on this, I re-played these two podcast episodes:
Here are the things that I learned through these episodes.
Buckle up; this one's going to be an information overload.
Types of UV Rays
- Solar light has UV rays that affect our skin. The two types are UVA and UVB.
- UVB has higher energy, and it leads to sunburns. The damage is more direct as it can affect the skin's DNA.
- Although UVA has a little less energy than UVB, it penetrates deeper. It can cause free radicals, damaging proteins, cells, and DNA of the skin.
- Both types lead to skin inflammation of some kind and can even cause cancer.
- Another alarming thing was they both cause visible signs of skin aging like fine lines, discoloration, and laxity. So, sunscreen might be the best anti-aging product out there.
Types of Sunscreen
- The two types of sunscreens available are physical (mineral) and chemical sunscreen. Although both are efficient, they function differently.
- Physical (mineral) sunscreen does the job by reflecting and scattering the UV light. It is made from inorganic materials and has a different aesthetic feel. It can be better for sensitive skin, but it depends from person to person.
- Chemical sunscreen help protects by absorbing the UV rays and dissipating that energy as heat. That's why you might feel warm after its application. With comprehensive protection, it has a lighter feel to it. It is made from organic material.
Number Matters
- The recommended amount of SPF is 30 and above.
- The higher you go in SPF, the more protection you'll be offered.
It's a Personal Choice
- It's eventually up to you which sunscreen you prefer. You can decide in terms of different days, activities, or exposure. In short, the level of UV intake can dictate the application.
- Tip: Track UV index on your weather app to know your sun exposure for the day or time.
You can also choose different sunscreen options for your body and face.
Application
- Apply generously everywhere daily. Areas to cover would be hands, legs, face, ears, the tip of ears, eyelids, under eyes, lips, neck, and decollete.
- According to the American Academy of Dermatology, sunscreen should be reapplied approximately every two hours when you're outdoors. It's crucial even on cloudy days, and after swimming or sweating, according to the directions on the bottle.
Makeup & Sunscreen
- In your beauty regime, sunscreen comes as a last step of skincare. So, you do your makeup routine after sunscreen.
- Also, don't just rely on the SPF present in the makeup. It won't be enough SPF for your protection. Nothing is as good as conventional sunscreen.
- Sometimes your sunscreen won't work with the ingredients of your makeup. Try to experiment and see which combo works for you.
It's as concise as I could get, y'all! I hope it was a helpful set of information to get you going with your sunscreen routine.
Welcome to the sunscreen squad!
Love,
Rashmi B.
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